UPDATE 3-Residents in western New York call snow worst in memory

Nov 20 (Reuters) - Fresh snow fell on Thursday in snowbound western New York, where longtime residents described the blast of winter weather as the worst in memory.

At least eight deaths were blamed on the storm.

Some areas of New York state along the Great Lakes had nearly 2 feet (60 cm) of new snow on top of accumulations as high as 5 feet (1.5 metres) from earlier in the week.

The National Weather Service said parts of the region could expect 3 feet (9O cm) more snow before skies clear on Friday.

“I’ve been in a lot of snowstorms, and this is by far the worst. There’s been more snow in the shortest period of time I’ve ever seen,” said Chuck Specht, 58, who reported 7 feet (2.1 metres) of snow at his house in Marilla, New York.

Specht was trying unsuccessfully to clear a patch in the snow for the family dog to relieve itself, he said.

“Even for seasoned veterans, this is getting to be a bit much to handle,” he said.

The Buffalo Bills will not play their home game against the New York Jets on Sunday because of public safety concerns, the National Football League said. The NFL said it was in the process of rescheduling and relocating the game.

The Bills had earlier offered to pay $10 an hour plus game tickets to people willing to shovel what it said were 220,000 tons of snow in its stadium.

The National Hockey League postponed the Buffalo Sabres’ home game against the New York Rangers on Friday night “due to the continuing weather-related difficulties in the Greater Buffalo area and out of respect for the fans of the Sabres.”

“With this heavy snow load now, there are buildings that are in danger,” he said.

Nearly 5 feet of snow had Tom Irwin, 68, and his family housebound since Monday in Derby, New York, near Buffalo.

“We decided to make the most of it. We put the Christmas tree up,” he said. “It’s certainly the worst storm we’ve experienced, and we’ve been here just under 30 years.”

States of emergency are in effect for 10 counties, driving was banned on many roads and 140 miles (225 km) of the New York State Thruway were closed. (Reporting by Ellen Wulfhorst in New York; Editing by Bill Trott, Doina Chiacu and Peter Cooney)